Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings Ball by Ball Commentary

DROPPED AND SIX! Oh wow! What a way to get the win for Punjab. It was very close between these two but KL Rahul's team has edged forward in this clash. It could have been another wicket but the fumble from the fielder in the deep means that Kolkata end up on the losing side. This is bowled slightly shorter, around off, Shahrukh Khan pumps this one hard towards the deep mid-wicket region, Rahul Tripathi in the deep, runs across to his left, takes the catch too but fumbles and drops the ball over the ropes. PUNJAB WIN BY 5 WICKETS!

Fabian Allen is in next but he will be at the non-striker's end.

OUT! TAKEN! What have you done, Rahul? He loses his wicket at the absolute wrong time and Punjab's fate is still on a hinge. KL put in all the hard yards but he is unable to close the game out for his team. Around off and middle, on a length, not a lot of pace to work with for KL, who moves to the leg side and lofts this one towards long off. Shivam Mavi pouches this one safely in the deep. 4 needed from 4 balls!

Outside off, on a length, Khan looks to slap it away but gets the toe-end of the bat to short third man for one. 4 needed from 5 now.

Who will bowl the final over? All the frontline bowlers of Kolkata have completed their spells. Will it be Venkatesh Iyer or Nitish Rana? It's ​​​​​​Venkatesh Iyer.

FOUR! Not how Mavi would have wanted to end the over and now, Punjab are very close to the finish line. A juicy full toss, around off, KL Rahul smacks this one over point and the ball bounces once, before going past the ropes. Just 5 more needed from the last 6 balls!

Full this time, on off, jammed out through the mid on region for one.

A full toss, around off, KL eases this one down to long on for a single.

NOT OUT! A lifeline for Rahul and he will be hoping to make it count and take his team past the line. Another slower ball this time, around off, on a length, KL Rahul anticipates this one well and goes back, waits, and then thumps this one to the deep mid-wicket region. As soon as he has hit that, you know that it does not have enough to cross the ropes. Rahul Tripathi runs ahead from the deep, dives forward, gets his hands down and takes this one superbly. The on-field umpires just want to ensure that this is a clean catch as it could have bounced before he took it, or his hands could not have been underneath the ball when he took it. The TV umpire has a look at the replays and asks for different angles as it is hard to really make a decision based on one viewing. After having a few looks, the TV umpire feels that the ball was touching the ground. The batsmen didn't cross and it's a dot ball.

Is it caught? If it is, that would be a brilliant catch from Rahul Tripathi. KL Rahul is going nowhere. Tripathi is claiming the catch. The umpires get together and refer it upstairs. The replays are not looking conclusive. The third umpire is watching numerous angles. Has Rahul Tripathi got his fingers under the ball? NO! This is a big call. The third umpire feels that the ball has touched the ground. KL survives.

KL will feel like he missed out! A slower full toss, way outside off, Rahul gets low and looks to work this to the leg side but fails to connect.

EDGY FOUR! Fortune. Luck for KL and Punjab and this is a great start to the over. A full toss, around off, angling in, Rahul looks to drive it through the line, but the ball takes the outside edge, beats the short third man fielder's dive and runs away to the ropes.

Around off this time, slower too, shortish, KL Rahul waits for it and then looks to cut. But, only manages a thin outside edge, which finds Dinesh Karthik on the bounce. DK fumbles and they take one. The short fine leg fielder misses his shy at the bowler's end and KL Rahul wants one more but Khan has overrun and he denies the extra run. 15 more needed from 12 balls.

Slower, back of a length, around off, Khan taps this to backward point. Rahul wants one and Khan hesitates, then, charges through. The fielder has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses.

FOUR! That was hit with venom. So powerful. Around off on a length, Shahrukh Khan thumps this one very, very hard through covers and beats the fielder in the deep to his right.

Slower this time, on a length around off, pulled hard, but on the bounce to the man at long on. Just one.

On the pads this time, whipped to fine leg for a single.

In between the two fielders! Should have been taken, really. On middle, on a length, Rahul paddles this one to the leg side but gets it away off the inner edge. Dinesh Karthik runs behind and the fielder from short fine leg runs ahead, but, there is no communication between these two and the ball lands in between them. One run.

Shortish and close to off, Shahrukh Khan punches it from the back foot to point. 11 from the over, 24 needed off 18 balls.

SIX! ALMOST A MIND-BLOWING CATCH FROM VENKATESH IYER! Ohhhhh, would have been a wonderful catch, but, it will be a biggie instead. Shivam Mavi strays and serves a shortish length ball on middle and leg, Shahrukh Khan smashes this one nicely towards the deep square leg region. It looks to be going over the fence but Venkatesh Iyer has other plans. He stretches out his right hand, gets the ball too, but realizes that he is going past the boundary line. Iyer throws the ball back up, but not away from the ropes. He is stuck there on the fence and the ball falls back to him.

A good shot for a couple! Shortish, way outside off, Khan times his punch past point nicely for a brace.

In walks Shahrukh Khan. Can he bat sensibly with his skipper and steer Punjab home?

OUT! TAKEN! Another one falls for Punjab. They have been known to choke and lose the games from a winning position. Is this another one of those stories? Hooda is not able to make an impact. On a fuller length, again, on middle and leg, and it's a cutter. Deepak Hooda whips this one powerfully towards deep mid-wicket, but, he does not manage to generate enough power to clear the fence. Rahul Tripathi holds onto this catch in the deep. 32 needed in 21 balls!

On a length, around middle and leg, Deepak Hooda whips this one off his pads to the deep square leg region. Venkatesh Iyer runs to his left, slides, and stops the ball. Two taken. The TV umpire has a look to ensure that Iyer's foot made no contact with the ropes and the replays show that it was a clean save.

Pace off from Mavi, on a fuller length outside off, Rahul drives this through point for a single.

Bowling change. Shivam Mavi (2-0-10-0) is back on.

A dot to end the 16th over. A touch shorter, around off, Hooda punches this to the cover fielder. Narine is done with his spell. 35 more needed in 24 balls.

Flatter, around off, skidding away, KL pulls this one, along the ground, through mid-wicket for one.

Hooda gets off the mark right away! Outside off, flatter, pushed through covers for one.

Deepak Hooda arrives.

OUT! CAUGHT! This is straight down the throat of Shubman Gill in the deep! He did not have to move an inch and Markram's knock comes to an end. It looked like it would go all the way past the ropes but it is not meant to be for the Protea. Narine serves this flatter and quicker outside off, Aiden Markram flat-bats this one powerfully over covers. It looks to be going for a biggie but Gill ensures that it does not. 37 more needed in 27 balls.

WIDE. Flatter and quicker outside off, Aiden makes a leave. Wide signalled.

SIX! HO! HO! HO! That is a monster hit! The sound that came when the bat connected with the ball was indication enough of where this was going! Fuller, floated, on middle, Aiden Markram smokes this one over the deep mid-wicket fence.

WIDE. Way outside off, outside the tramline too. Left alone.

Narine sees Markram skipping down the track and serves a fuller and quicker ball on the pads, Aiden looks to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Full and around off, slower in pace, Markram drags it down to long on for one. 45 needed off 30 balls.

Slower again, short and on off, Rahul pulls it firmly to deep square leg for a single.

SIX! Out of here! Rahul will have to bat the distance if Punjab are to cross the line. Back of a length, around off, slower in pace, KL picks it up and hammers it over cow corner for a maximum. FIFTY FOR RAHUL, off 43 balls.

Wide! Slips a length ball down the leg side, Rahul tries to heave but misses.

Shortish and sliding down the leg side, Markram pulls it behind square leg for a single.

Sharp delivery, a touch short and around leg, following the batsman, Markram tries to swing it across the line but misses. It takes his thigh pad and loops up. Aiden has no idea where the ball is but then feels something falling on his head. Naughty ball. Markram has a smile on his face.

Mishit! Short in length and around middle, Markram tries to pull but mistimes it behind the bowler. Two runs taken.

On the pads, Markram flicks it over mid-wicket for one. Six singles from the over, Narine was safely played out.

Strategic Time-Out! With 57 more needed from 36 balls and having players like KL Rahul and Aiden Markram out in the middle, you would think that Punjab are in a better position at this point. But, still, the road ahead is not the easiest as Kolkata still have good bowlers in their ranks and if they can take a wicket or two quickly, Punjab will feel the heat. It should be an interesting end to this game. Let's see how it pans out. Here's Tim Southee (2-0-19-0) again...

Flatter and full around leg, Rahul sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

In the air... JUST SHORT! Short in length and outside off, Aiden steps back to cut but it takes the outside edge and flies towards short third man. Nitish Rana rushes forward, puts in a dive but it falls in front of him. They cross.

Slightly short and around off, KL moves back inside the crease and works it towards mid-wicket for a run.

Full and around off, at 95.9 kph, Aiden walks down the track and chips it over mid on for one.

Tossed up ball on middle, Rahul gets back and nurdles it in the gap at mid-wicket for a single.

On a length around off, pushed out to covers for a single. 11 from the over!

Change. Sunil Narine (2-0-18-0) is back!

SIX! Dispatched! Fuller again, around off and in the slot for the batsman, KL Rahul attacks it and heaves it powerfully over mid-wicket for a biggie.

Shortish and on middle, Aiden plays a mistimed shot this time, down to long on for another run.

Fuller and wide outside off, KL walks across the stumps and mistimes his drive to long on for one.

A touch short and outside off, Markram forces it off his back foot through cover-point for a single.

Full and wide outside off, Rahul drags it down off the inner half to deep mid-wicket for a single. KL Rahul is now the leading run-scorer of this season.

Loopy and full on middle, Rahul flicks it gently through mid-wicket for another run. 7 from this over, 74 needed off 48 balls.

A full toss around leg, it's knocked down to long on for one.

Change in bowling. Venkatesh Iyer comes back on. Gave 12 off his opening over. He runs in to bowl, but, Rahul pulls out late. Then he taps the ball to the off side as Iyer has already delivered, but the umpire deems it a dead ball. Iyer will have to reload...

Flatter and a touch shorter on off, Markram jumps back inside the crease and cracks it past the diving cover fielder for a couple of runs.

Fuller and on middle, flicked on the leg side but straight to mid-wicket.

Flatter and shorter on off, Rahul gets back and forces it down to long on for a single.

A touch short and around middle, Rahul powers his pull shot down to deep mid-wicket. A fantastic diving stop by Rahul Tripathi and he saves two for his side.

Floated one, full and around off, Aiden flicks it a bit aerially towards mid-wicket. It falls safely though. Markram looks for a run but is sent back. Could have been close had Narine not misfielded. Varun Chakravarthy is done for the evening, exceptional spell of 4 overs from him - 2/24.

Nitish Rana is into the attack!

Fuller and around off, Rahul drives it sensibly down to long off for a single.

OUT! Gone! Nicholas Pooran hits a sixer, tries to score one more but departs. Sometimes, you need to respect the game situation. There was no need to target Kolkata's best bowler again. Full and flighted, outside off, Pooran aims for an inside-out shot but only manages to slice it in the deep. Shivam Mavi takes the skier safely at deep cover. 82 needed off 56 balls.

Aiden Markram arrives.

SIX! Is this the evening when Nicholas Pooran arrives to form? Another full toss from Varun Chakravarthy, around middle, Pooran goes down on one knee and muscles it over wide long on for a biggie.

Gives this extra loop but fails to land, Rahul pushes the full toss down to long off for a single.

Flatter and shorter, around off, Pooran goes back and cuts it to deep point for a single.

Varun Chakravarthy to bowl out...

Floats it up, landing fuller on off, Rahul manages to push this back to Sunil. 90 needed in 60 balls.

Fullish, outside off, gently dabbed to point for a quick single.

Angled into the leg pole, quicker and flatter, KL goes back quickly and pushes this through mid on for one.

Fuller on off, pushed to Morgan at covers.

Outside off, driven through covers for a single.

DROPPED! This was a great chance to take another quick wicket but Rahul Tripathi fails to hold on. Fuller, nice loop on this, outside off, Pooran, just like Agarwal, smacks this towards covers, where Rahul Tripathi gets his hands up to take it, but the ball bursts through. Two taken.

Sunil Narine is back on. He went for 13 runs in his opening over.

Fuller, around off, Nicholas Pooran opens his account by pushing this through mid off for one. A good over from Varun Chakravarthy!

Nicholas Pooran walks in next.

OUT! CAUGHT! This time Morgan makes no mistake. He takes the catch of Agarwal, eventually. Eoin Morgan dropped the catch of Mayank Agarwal when he was on zero, but, he manages to hold on this time. That was hit very hard but the Englishman does well. Tossed up, wider outside off, Mayank Agarwal reaches out and drills this aerially towards covers, where Eoin Morgan reacts quickly and pouches this. The 70-run opening stand is broken and Kolkata will look to make further inroads. 96 needed off 67 balls.

A touch short, around off, Rahul goes back and nudges this through square leg. One run.

Around off, Mayank gently knocks this through mid-wicket for one.

Fuller, around off, KL lofts this one towards long off, where Tim Southee runs to his right and stops the ball. Saves three for his side as the batters take one.

FOUR! CRACK! Fuller this time, wider outside off, KL Rahul shimmies down and drills this one through extra cover for a boundary.

SIX! Lovely shot from Agarwal. Takes a full toll of the Free Hit. Iyer looks to bowl the wide yorker but it does not work out for him. Mayank Agarwal gets underneath this full toss and pumps this one over extra cover. Ruins the over for Iyer!

NO BALL! Whoops. Must have slipped out of his hands there. Iyer bowls a full toss, above the waist, outside off, Mayank Agarwal is taken aback and looks to cut it late but misses. No ball signalled and a Free Hit is coming up.

Well played but straight to the man! Outside off, on a length, KL pulls this hard but finds deep mid-wicket. One run.

Another run as Mayank Agarwal steps inside the line of this length ball and works this to deep square leg.

Venkatesh Iyer is into the attack. One of the weak links of the Kolkata bowling this evening.

Slightly wider outside off, on a length, KL Rahul slaps this one to the man at long on for one.

Around off, on a length, KL eases this one through covers this time and they collect a brace.

Slower ball to begin with, on a length outside off, Rahul gently pushes it back to the bowler. Iyer collects and has a shy at the striker's end as KL had come out, but he misses.

A good over from Varun, just 5 off it! Floated, outside off, nicely driven through covers for one. 115 needed in 78 balls!

Shortish, around off, Mayank just taps this one to the fielder at covers.

A flatter ball, on the pads, Agarwal looks to work this to the leg side but the ball takes the pad and goes to the leg side. The batters sneak in a leg bye.

Full delivery from Narine, very full, on off, Rahul jams this one through mid on for a single.

Tossed up, around off, Agarwal eases this through mid on. One more run.

Flatter and slightly quicker on the pads, Rahul works this through mid-wicket for one.

Strategic Time-Out! As expected, Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul have provided Punjab with a solid start. The former was dropped on zero by Eoin Morgan and Kolkata would be ruing that missed chance. For the moment, Punjab are in control and Kolkata would be hoping to choke them in the middle overs.

Appeal for a run out! It's taken upstairs. Mayank was well in. Also, Morgan did not have the ball in his hands, when he whipped off the bails. Narine serves a flatter ball, on off and middle, Agarwal nudges this one through mid-wicket. They take one and come back for the second. Narine goes after it and throws it to Morgan at the non-striker's end, who whips the bails off. Replays show that Agarwal was in and Morgan did not have the ball in his hands as he broke the stumps. Punjab are at 46/0 at the end of the Powerplay!

On middle, KL goes back and eases this down to long on. One run.

In the air...safe! Not cleanly played by Rahul and he does not pay the price for the same. Tossed up, fuller outside off, KL Rahul skips down and looks to loft it over covers but slices it over point for a couple of runs.

Fuller this time, on middle and leg, Mayank knocks this one through mid-wicket for one.

SIX! Cracking shot! Mayank Agarwal plays an outstanding shot. Narine serves this fuller, around off and middle, Mayank Agarwal gets down on one knee and smokes this one down the ground. The fielder in the deep feels like he has a sniff at taking this but the ball goes past him and the ropes.

Narine starts his spell with a shortish ball, on off and middle. KL goes back and taps this through mid on for one.

Spin from both ends. Sunil Narine to bowl the final over of the Powerplay.

Flatter one, on middle, Rahul punches it towards mid-wicket for one. A terrific first over by Varun Chakravarthy, just 3 from it.

A bit short and on middle, Mayank swings his bat across the line and drags it off the inner half. The ball rolls in front of square leg and a single is taken.

Three dots in a row, pressure building. Flighted delivery, full and outside off, Mayank drives it through the line, finds point.

Quicker one, short and around off, Agarwal punches from the back foot but finds the cover fielder this time.

Slightly short and around off, Mayank cuts from the back foot but finds the point fielder.

Flighted delivery, on middle, Rahul gets back and works it through square leg for a single.

Bowling change. Time for some spin. Varun Chakravarthy to operate now. A slip is in place.

FOUR! Mavi fails to finish his over well. Short in length and around off at 137.4 clicks, Mayank Agarwal steps back to make room and slaps it over point for a boundary.

Lands it on a length around off, Mayank strokes it through the line but fails to find the gap through the heavily guarded off side field.

Swing and a miss! Shivam Mavi clocks 141.8 kph and delivers it on a length outside off, Mayank Agarwal tries to hit it over covers but misses.

A touch short and close to off, Rahul stays back and eases it down to third man for one.

Full and around off, Rahul uses the angle of the pacer and works it on the leg side. Finds mid-wicket.

Morgan is making some great stops in the cover region. On a length and around off, it's hit firmly by Rahul but he fails to find the gap.

Back of a length, around off and shaping in, Agarwal defends it back from the crease. 12 from the over, 19 from Southee's first two.

SIX! Up and over! Full and around off, right in the slot for the batter, Mayank Agarwal reaches out for it and pumps it all the way over long off.

Fuller in length around off, Rahul tries to drive but it takes the inner half and rolls to mid on. They take a single.

FOUR! Fine shot! A half-volley, around off, KL Rahul shows the full face of his bat and drives it crisply past the bowler for a boundary down the ground. Straight as a die!

Pitches it up and around off, Rahul pushes it off his front foot but finds the cover fielder.

Southee serves it full and close to off, Agarwal plays late and guides it wide of point for a single.

Gets behind the line of the delivery and pushes it towards mid on. Calls his partner quickly through for a single.

FOUR! Not in control of the shot. Mavi delivers it full and around off, shaping in sharply, Mayank Agarwal tries to whip it over the leg side but the bat turns in his hands and the ball flies behind the bowler. The mid on fielder gives it the chase but it trickles over the fence.

A little bit of width outside off, short in length, Mayank stays back and taps it down to backward point.

Shortish on middle and leg, Rahul fails to work it around. It goes off his thigh pad to the on side and they cross for a leg bye.

Fractionally short and around off, shaping in, Rahul stays back and plays it down to point.

Morgan makes a flying stop! Fuller in length and outside off, KL strokes it off his front foot to covers where Morgan throws himself to his left and stops the ball. Saves a certain boundary.

Who will bowl from the other end? Shivam Mavi to run in...

Beaten! This one is angled into the batsman, around off and on a length, Agarwal tries to play late but misses. That goes closely past the inside edge, probably brushed his pads a bit too.

FOUR! Brilliantly timed. A juicy half-volley just outside off, Mayank Agarwal drills his drive all along the ground through extra cover.

Shortish and close to off, Rahul goes back and cuts it down to third man for a single.

The batsman goes back in his crease and guides it through backward point for a single.

DROPPED! Morgan is the culprit. When things go wrong, they go awfully wrong. Full and around off, shaping away again, Agarwal drives it uppishly to covers where Morgan drops a sitter. Could be a costly miss!

Some movement for Southee. He lands it full and outside off, Rahul slices his drive down to third man for a single.

OUT! TIMBER! What a fantastic last over by Arshdeep Singh! Serves it very full and in the line of the stumps at 135.9 kph, Dinesh Karthik walks way too across the stumps as he tries to play the paddle shot. Ends up missing the ball and finds his stumps shattered. Kolkata finish on 165/7!

Brilliant delivery! Arshdeep Singh goes for a yorker, following the batsman down at 137 clicks, Narine misses and it goes through his legs to the keeper. KL Rahul misses his shy at the striker's end. Arshdeep collects the ball and tries to hit the stumps at his end but he too misses.

Back of a length, around off, Dinesh Karthik rocks back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. The fielder in the deep had fumbled slightly but no extra run was taken. A good over so far from Singh.

Arshdeep goes slower, a full toss outside off, Dinesh Karthik shuffles across and works it through square leg for two.

Outside off, slapped to deep point for a single.

Fuller in length and on middle, Narine hangs back to heave but only manages to drag it behind square leg. Two runs taken.

A dot ball to finish this over and a fantastic spell from Mohammed Shami. On a length around off, slower in pace at 126 kph, Karthik only manages to hit it back towards the bowler. Shami makes a half stop and they decide not to run.

Shami fails to land his yorker and DK heaves this full toss over mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

OUT! This time it's a run out and Tim Seifert will have to depart. A near-yorker just outside off, Tim Seifert tries to be adventurous with his reverse-batted shot but misses. He is hit on the boot and the ball deflects on the leg side. Shami appeals but then realizes that the batsmen are looking to steal a run. He immediately attacks the ball, picks it up, turns and scores a direct hit at the bowler's end to find Tim Seifert short. Great athleticism shown by the fast bowler.

Sunil Narine walks out into the middle.

Lovely deception from Shami! Slower one, on a length around middle, Tim Seifert attempts to power it over the leg side but misses. They attempt for a bye and KL Rahul misses his shy at the striker's end. Shami collects the ball and tries to knock the stump at his end but he misses as well. The batters cross again. Two byes in total.

Wide! Slips one down the leg side, Tim Seifert looks to flick but then lets it be.

Angling down the leg side, a low full toss at 139.4 kph, Dinesh Karthik works it off his pads to deep square leg for a single.

Fuller in length on middle and leg, angling in to follow the batsman, Tim walks forward and lofts it over mid off for a single.

Fuller and outside off, angling away at 114.5 kph, Tim Seifert cracks it to sweeper cover and opens his account in this League with a single.

Mohammed Shami to bowl the penultimate over. 3-0-18-1 are his figures so far.

On a length, around leg, Karthik tries to flick but misses. It goes off his pads to the right of the point fielder and they cross. Arshdeep is appealing but the only signal coming from the umpire is for a leg bye. Pitching outside leg, possibly.

OUT! CAUGHT! End of the Rana show this evening. Slower one does the trick for Arshdeep Singh. Short in length, around off at 116.9 kph, Nitish Rana probably picks it but still has not managed to generate enough power behind his attempted pull shot. It flies to the deep and Mayank Agarwal takes the catch safely near the fence, at deep mid-wicket.

The Kiwi, Tim Seifert makes his way out now.

FOUR! Rana is displaying his full range here. Arshdeep bowls it full and around off at 135 clicks, Nitish Rana shuffles across the stumps, uses the pace of the bowler and spoons it over short fine leg for a boundary.

Use of the feet again! Fuller and on off, Rana walks forward and drives it through the line. He places it to the left of the deep cover fielder for a couple of runs.

SIX! Nitish Rana has decided to play his attacking shots now. Arshdeep Singh bowls it on a fuller length, wide outside off at 129 clicks, Rana walks across the stumps to get close to the delivery and smacks it all the way over covers. A great start to the over for Kolkata.

Fuller and straighter, Rana again moves back to make room and drives it towards point for a quick run. End of an expensive evening for Nathan Ellis - 0/46.

Arshdeep Singh (2-0-13-1) returns.

SIX! Put away in style! Nathan Ellis angles in a slower one, around middle and on a length, Rana steps down the track and towers it behind the bowler's head for a biggie.

Tap and run. Slightly short and close to off, at 134.5 kph, Karthik stays back and just taps it down towards point for one.

Nathan Ellis switches to 'round the wicket and serves it very full around off, Nitish Rana steps back and drives it to the right of mid off for a single.

Back of a length, outside off at 132.6 kph, Dinesh Karthik punches it through cover-point and rotates the strike.

Well played! Nathan Ellis returns and bowls his trademark slower delivery. It's short and wide outside off, Karthik picks it and slaps it to deep point for a brace.

DK opens his account straightaway. A near-yorker outside off, at 140 clicks, Karthik plays late and squeezes it out past backward point for a single.

Bowling change. Nathan Ellis is back to bowl out. He has given 34 off his 3 overs so far.

Out walks Dinesh Karthik!

OUT! Morgan is trapped in front! His sorry form is refusing to leave him. Shami keeps it nice and straight, fuller in length, Morgan walks across the stumps for a cheeky paddle shot probably. He is late into the shot though, misses the ball and is rapped on the pads. The appeal is made and the finger has gone up almost immediately. Dead plumb.

Slower one from Shami, full and outside off at 119.2 clicks, Morgan is a bit early into the drive but does well to place it towards long off. Good enough to give him two.

Fuller and wide outside off, it's driven through point for a single.

Outside off, a touch short, Rana taps it down towards backward point and looks for a run. Confusion over a run, nothing added to the scoreboard in the end.

Beaten! Shami angles across a length ball, around off, Nitish Rana tries to play inside the line but misses.

Strategic Time-Out! A wicket at the perfect time for Punjab. The dangerous Venkatesh Iyer is sent back and they would like to build on this breakthrough. 30 balls left in the innings. Let's see how it pans out. Mohammed Shami returns into the attack.

Fuller on middle and leg, Rana flicks this to mid-wicket and takes a run. Ravi Bishnoi is done for the night and ends with figures of 4-0-22-2. Impressive from the youngster.

Shortish, around off, Rana gets low and taps this to the short third man fielder. They wanted one but were not able to take it, as this was played straight to the fielder.

Eoin Morgan walks in next. Can he strike some form in this match?

OUT! CAUGHT! Venkatesh Iyer got the right connection on this, but, didn't get the desired elevation and distance. Ravi Bishnoi gets his second and Punjab get rid of Iyer, who was looking in top form. Bishnoi floats this one up, lands it fuller and wide outside off, Venkatesh Iyer goes down and across and looks to clear the deep mid-wicket fence, with a slog-sweep. But he hits it flat and straight towards Deepak Hooda. Another catch for him.

Flatter, quicker, slanting away outside off, Iyer camps back and looks to slash but misses.

Fuller again, on off, Rana looks to work this to the leg side but closes the face of his bat early. The leading edge is induced but it loops up behind Ravi, landing safely near mid off, for a single.

FOUR! WOAH! That's played very well. Great connection on this stroke. Fuller, on middle and off, Nitish Rana gets low and reverse-sweeps it over backward point for a boundary.

Ravi Bishnoi to bowl out.

11 off this over! Outside off, on a length, Rana steers this one gently to third man for a single.

Slower in pace, outside off, Iyer punches this to long off for one.

WIDE. Looked to have slipped out of Ellis' hand! He bowls a full toss, way outside off, Iyer just leaves it. Wide signalled.

Good comeback from Ellis! He serves a wide yorker outside off, Iyer gets low and looks to get bat on the ball. Misses though. Nathan puts in a strong appeal for caught behind but the umpire is unmoved. Rahul was not too interested too.

FOUR! Stand and deliver stuff from Iyer! He is scoring runs with ease. Around off, on a length this time, Venkatesh Iyer thrashes this one through covers.

FOUR! Funky! Iyer bags yet another boundary! On a length, outside off, Venkatesh Iyer shuffles across quickly and just paddles this one over short fine leg. Boundary.

Starts this spell well, does Ellis! Fullish this time, outside off, Iyer looks to dig this one out but he fails to do so.

Nathan Ellis is back on. He has been expensive so far, going for 23 runs in his 2 overs.

Darted on middle and off, Iyer slaps this one back towards Allen, who tries to stop this with his leg but the ball ricochets to the mid on region, for a single. Allen seems to be in some pain. Looks to have been stung hard.

SIX! BANG! Iyer is on fire at the moment! He plays this so effortlessly. Looped up, fuller around middle and leg, Venkatesh Iyer stands tall and whips this one delightfully over deep square leg.

Another run as Rana flicks this one through mid-wicket.

Quicker and shorter outside off, punched to covers for one.

Allen loops this one up, fuller around leg, Rana sweeps this to the short fine leg region for one. An appeal for LBW but turned down.

FIFTY FOR IYER! Yet another 50 for Iyer and he has played very well so far. Gets to this landmark in 39 balls and would be hoping to continue the way he has been batting. On middle and leg, knocked towards mid-wicket for one.

Fabian Allen is back into the attack. 3-0-27-0 are his figures so far.

Flatter again, outside off, skidding away, Iyer slices this behind point and gets one. A top over from Ravi Bishnoi comes to an end!

Rana gets off the mark on his first ball! Shortish, outside off, gently dabbed to short third man for one.

Flatter this time, on off, milked to long off for one.

Nitish Rana walks in next.

OUT! TAKEN! Ravi Bishnoi strikes and Punjab finally get the wicket that they were waiting for! Rahul Tripathi tries to force the issue this time but it proves to be his undoing. Bishnoi serves this fuller, loopy, around off, Rahul Tripathi gets low and tries to mow a slog-sweep towards the deep mid-wicket region. It goes high in the air off the top edge and hence fails to get the required distance. Deepak Hooda runs across to his right from long on and ensures that this stand is broken. Punjab will look to build on this breakthrough.

Fuller this time, outside off, hit down towards long off. One run.

Flatter and quicker on middle, knocked down to long on for one.

Ravi Bishnoi to continue with his spell...

Pace off again, on a length outside off, RT waits for it and punches it to mid off for one.

FOUR! Rahul is making batting look easy. But, with that being said, it was a poor delivery. A slower, loopy, full toss, outside off, Rahul Tripathi just bangs this one past point again and gets a boundary.

Ellis goes short this time, on middle, pulled away to deep mid-wicket for one.

On a fullish length, around off, heaved down towards long on for a single.

FOUR! Crashed away! Terrific shot. Rahul Tripathi is in full flow! On a length, outside off, Rahul Tripathi opens up the face of his blade and cracks this one past point for a boundary.

Direct hit would have been curtains for Rahul Tripathi! On a length and outside off, Iyer goes back to cut but edges it towards backward point. They cross for a run as the fielder misses his shy at the striker's end.

Too full and on middle, it's forced down to long on for a run. At the halfway mark, Kolkata are 76/1.

Fine stop in the deep! A googly this time, on the shorter side, Rahul Tripathi goes back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket. Fabian Allen makes a tumbling stop and keeps the batsmen down to one.

Slightly quicker this time, full and on off, once again Rahul drives it straight to covers. Two dots.

Full and flighted on off, Rahul Tripathi walks forward and plays a lovely cover drive. Finds the fielder though.

Full around middle, Venkatesh Iyer uses his feet and knocks it down to long on for a single.

Edgy! Short in length and outside off, skidding away, Venkatesh Iyer goes for the cut but edges it towards short third man. Looks for a run but is sent back.

On the pads, quicker one again, Iyer clips it to deep mid-wicket and jogs across to the other end. 10 from this over!

Strategic Time-Out! This has been a good start by Kolkata as they are playing well and are on their way to a good total if they continue in the same manner. Yes, they did lose Gill, but Rahul Tripathi and Venkatesh Iyer are doing well to keep the scoreboard ticking. They have a plethora of batting talent in their ranks as well. Punjab, meanwhile, will be looking to break this stand as Kolkata have started gaining momentum and then keep taking regular wickets to keep the pressure on.

Fuller and on middle, Rahul Tripathi hurries down the track and flicks it to deep square leg for a single.

Just short! Short and outside off, Tripathi goes to cut but it takes the outside edge. It flies towards short third man but reaches the fielder on one bounce.

Fuller and around leg, Venkatesh Iyer uses his feet and whips it to wide long on for a single.

Fuller and on middle, pushed down to long off for a single.

SIX! Handsomely put away! Fabian Allen serves it flat and full on middle, skidding in, Rahul Tripathi gets forward with a big stride and smokes it over mid-wicket for a biggie. The 50-run stand is up!

Ravi Bishnoi goes quicker through the air, it's short and wide outside off, Iyer cracks it to deep point for two. 8 from Bishnoi's first over.

FOUR! Clever placement. Identical to the last delivery, this time Venkatesh Iyer stays back and plays late. He opens the face of the bat to place it through the gap between short third man and backward point. Fabulous!

Short and outside off, Venkatesh Iyer cuts but finds the point fielder.

This one is flat and short around off, at 94 clicks, Rahul Tripathi keeps it out in the gap at mid-wicket. They cross as Bishnoi runs across to collect the ball.

Nicely flighted this time, full and around leg, Venkatesh Iyer flicks it in the gap at mid-wicket and takes a single.

Beaten! Bishnoi begins with a googly around off, Iyer tries to push through the line from the back foot but misses.

Fullish and on middle, clipped to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Fabian goes quicker through the air and fires it in on middle, Iyer hangs back and hits it back to the bowler.

Change. Ravi Bishnoi to roll his arm now...

FOUR! Venkatesh Iyer shows no mercy. Slightly short and around off, skidding away, Iyer quickly transfers his weight on the back leg and powers it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Flatter and full on middle, it's chipped over mid on for a single. 50 up!

Floated full, around off, Rahul Tripathi pushes it off his front foot to covers.

Fires in a fuller ball on middle, Iyer knocks it down to long on for a run.

Sliding down the leg side, fuller in length, Rahul Tripathi flicks it in front of square leg. Fabian Allen makes a sliding stop in the deep and the batsmen collect a couple of runs. At the end of the Powerplay, Kolkata are 48/1.

Will Arshdeep Singh bowl his third on the trot? Nopes. Fabian Allen is back on. 1-0-10-0 so far.

Fuller and on middle, it's pushed back past the bowler for a run as the mid on fielder cuts it off.

Shortish and on middle, played back to the bowler.

FOUR! Shot! Another slower one, a bit short and on middle, Venkatesh Iyer stays on the back foot and packs a punch on this shot. He finds the gap between mid-wicket and mid on. Another boundary.

FOUR! Not good from Ravi Bishnoi. ​Nathan Ellis bowls a slower one, very full and outside off, Venkatesh Iyer drills his drive to the right of mid off. Bishnoi moves across but dives over the ball and it sneaks through.

The Aussie begins with a delivery on middle, Venkatesh Iyer works it off his pads to mid-wicket.

Bowling change. Nathan Ellis has been unleashed into the attack!

A single to end the 5th over. Singh concedes 7 off his second over. Slower in pace, on middle and leg, clipped to short fine leg for one.

Back of a length, on middle and leg, Rahul goes back and drops this to mid-wicket for one.

Direct hit might have been tight! Outside off, a length ball, Iyer taps this one towards Ravi Bishnoi at short third man. The batters scamper through for one as Ravi has a shy at the striker's end, but misses.

FOUR! Clipped away nicely! Iyer has started with a positive mindset! Arshdeep strays and serves a length ball on the pads, not a good delivery keeping in mind that there was no fine leg. Iyer whips this one past short fine leg and gets a boundary.

In the zone outside off, on a length, guided straight to the point fielder by Iyer.

A touch fuller, on middle, Iyer flicks gently, but finds the fielder at mid-wicket.

Will Arshdeep Singh get another over? Yup, he is ready to deliver his second...

FOUR! Rahul Tripathi gets hold of this one, alright! It was a good over for Shami until the last ball but Rahul takes him on and gets a boundary! Short of a length, around off, Rahul Tripathi smashes this one over wide mid on and the ball goes past the ropes.

Tries to be funky, does Rahul! Served fuller, outside off, Rahul Tripathi shuffles and looks to paddle this to the leg side but he fails to connect as the ball takes the pad and goes to the fielder at first slip.

Iyer makes room by moving to the leg side as Shami hurls a fuller ball, outside off. Iyer carves this one down to third man and collects a single.

Rahul Tripathi skips down the track looking for a big shot but it takes the bottom half of his blade and rolls towards mid on. They cross for a brisk run as Ravi Bishnoi misses his shy at the bowler's end.

Very well bowled from Shami! Outside off this time, on a length, the ball lands and shoots up this time. Rahul looks to punch to the off side but the ball evades his blade, to KL Rahul.

On a length on middle, Venkatesh nudges this towards square leg and takes one.

Around off and middle, on a length, nipping in, Rahul Tripathi looks to push but gets an inside edge to the left of deep square leg. A couple of runs to end a good over from Arshdeep Singh!

Beaten all ends up! Back of a length, around leg, Rahul Tripathi jumps down the track for a big heave-ho over the leg side but is beaten all ends up.

Plays late and beats backward point. Arshdeep Singh lands it close to off on a length, Rahul Tripathi allows the ball to come close and then opens the face of his bat late. Two runs taken.

On a length and outside off, angling away, Rahul Tripathi pushes it off his front foot to covers.

Wide! Angling down the leg side, Rahul Tripathi tries to buy some cheap runs off his pads but fails to connect.

Rahul Tripathi walks in next.

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! 'Balle balle' for Singh very early on! Kolkata are one down very quickly. Arshdeep has impressed every single time he is handed the ball and he starts off with a bang on this occasion too. On a good length, around off, slanting away, Gill looks to push this to the off side but the ball takes the inside edge and crashes onto the furniture behind. Just the start that Punjab would have wanted!

WIDE. Arshdeep Singh sees Gill skipping down the track and serves a length ball, following the batter, Singh though slips it down leg. Gill misses his tuck and it is signalled as a wide.

That's a ripper from Singh to begin! Serves it fuller, outside off, slanting away from the right-hander. Gill plays a lazy looking drive, does not move his feet too and misses his shot.

Bowling change? Yes. The experiment with Fabian Allen lasted for just one over. Here is Arshdeep Singh...

EDGY! Lucky for Gill. Around off, on a fuller length, Gill looks to push it to the off side but the ball takes the inside edge and goes to square leg for one. 7 off Shami's first!

FOUR! Gill gets a boundary now. He uses his feet well and bags a boundary. Short of a length, outside off, it does not rise too much as Shubman Gill skips down the track and slaps this one through covers.

Some away movement on notice here! On a length, closer to off, it lands and nips away nicely, Gill watches it closely, before making a leave.

On the body, a back-of-a-length delivery, Iyer nudges this awkwardly to square leg and takes a run.

Back of a length, around off, Iyer manages to defend this one back to Shami.

A touch shortish to begin with from Shami, outside off, Gill punches it to covers where Mayank dives and parries it towards mid off. They take a run.

Mohammed Shami to operate from the other end.

FOUR! Iyer gets another boundary! Oh, this lad can bat! The length is full, it is angling away outside off. Venkatesh Iyer slaps this one through covers and the ball speeds away to the fence.

Gill gets off the mark too! Fuller on middle, it's eased down to long off for a single.

Allen keeps probing with the short length, on middle, Iyer knocks this one to long on and rotates the strike with a single.

Flatter, around off and middle, Iyer pushes this to the off side.

Darted on middle, Iyer keeps this one out to covers.

FOUR! What a way to get off the mark! Iyer starts off really well. Allen bowls this fuller, gives it some flight, on middle and leg, Venkatesh Iyer whips this one past the square leg fielder, who gives this chase, but fails to stop the ball.

It's time to get the ball rolling. The players are coming on the ground. Shubman Gill and Venkatesh Iyer are the openers for Kolkata. They have been in great form and Kolkata would be hoping for a good start from them. Punjab are beginning with the spin of Fabian Allen. All set, here we go...

Kolkata (Playing XI) - Shubman Gill, Venkatesh Iyer, Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan (C), Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Tim Seifert (In place of Lockie Ferguson), Sunil Narine, Shivam Mavi (In place of Sandeep Warrier), Tim Southee, Varun Chakravarthy.

Punjab (Playing XI) - KL Rahul (C/WK), Mayank Agarwal (In for Mandeep Singh), Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Shahrukh Khan (In place of Harpreet Brar), Deepak Hooda, Fabian Allen (In place of Chris Gayle), Nathan Ellis, Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh.

Eoin Morgan, the captain of Kolkata, says that it's a challenge to bat first here but the results here haven't been dictated by the toss. Informs about the changes as Lockie Ferguson is out and Tim Seifert comes in, also Shivam Mavi replaces Sandeep Warrier. Regarding the fitness of Andre Russell, Morgan replies that there are two significant blows to them and both Russell and Ferguson are getting monitored day by day. Feels that they will have to rehab really well in order to be fit. Mentions that the pitch here in Dubai has been the most consistent, doesn't look bad and it could be a good wicket for batting. Wants his team to build confidence leading into the other games.

The captain of Punjab, KL Rahul, says that they will bowl first and adds that the wickets have been quite tricky, based on the other games that have happened here, and so, it would be tricky to bat first and they aren't sure what sort of total would be good here. Adds that their bowling group has done really well and their batting has failed to fire. Hopes that they can come together and score some big runs but KL also hopes that they won't have to chase a big total as he wants to restrict Kolkata to around 130-140. Informs that they have three changes as Chris Gayle, Mandeep Singh and Harpreet Brar miss out and Fabian Allen, Mayank Agarwal and Shahrukh Khan replace them.

It's toss time! KL Rahul and Eoin Morgan are in the middle. The latter flips the coin, Rahul calls correctly and PUNJAB ELECT TO FIELD!

PITCH REPORT - Simon Doull and Kevin Pietersen are the pitch inspectors for the evening. Simon says that this is the same surface that they used two nights ago and there is a good even covering of grass and it is a hard surface. Kevin adds that he does not see demons on this deck. Doull ends by saying that as a bowler, if you hit your lengths right, then you will have success.

Just in - Tim Seifert is all set to make his debut for Kolkata. Interesting choice and Kolkata will have to tinker with their team composition to accommodate the Kiwi in the XI.

Who will replace Chris Gayle? There are options like Moises Henriques and Fabian Allen, and Punjab could go with the former for his wealth of knowledge in this format. Allen also offers them a good all-round option but he is a bits and pieces cricketer and possibly not a solution for Punjab's batting woes. Let's see who gets the nod. There are chances that they can completely ignore the overseas options and give an opportunity to the likes of Shahrukh Khan or Jalaj Saxena. Plenty of possibilities and the picture will get clear at the toss.

It's nothing new with Punjab. They are the ultimate underachievers and their inconsistent performance has now become a norm. The close loss against Rajasthan in their first game after resumption would be haunting them at the moment. Since then, they have lost one game and won one, and are reeling in the bottom half with 4 wins. Chris Gayle has left them now citing 'bubble fatigue' but given his ordinary form, this should not be taken as a big blow. Apart from the top 3, their batting has been largely absent and this is the moment for the other batters to make their presence count.

Kolkata are on a mission! Since the resumption of this edition, they have taken down teams like Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi, and narrowly missed out on taking down Chennai. While Eoin Morgan's bat has been silent, his captaincy has been in roaring form. He has put together a group of fearless cricketers and this group is approaching every game with an aggressive mindset. Be it their batting or their bowling, everything is working in tandem and the 2-time champions would be hoping to keep the same momentum going this evening.

Hello, folks! It's the fight for survival and only the best will survive. The points table of this season's Indian T20 League is looking red-hot at the moment. One spot is already booked by Chennai and the next two places look almost locked at the moment. That leaves only one place vacant and four teams are fighting for it. Currently, Kolkata are the marked team as they acquire the fourth position on the table and Punjab would be looking to upset them this evening to at least get on level points with them. Can they succeed?

... MATCH DAY ...